Sully Prudhomme

René François Armand Sully Prudhomme (Paris, March 16, 1839 - Châtenay-Malabry, September 6, 1907) was a French poet and essayist, winner of the first Nobel Prize for Literature in 1901.

Biography

Prudhomme originally began studying engineering, but decided to change it to philosophy to later devote himself to poetry. Early in his career, he joined Parnassianism, a literary school headed by fellow poet Leconte de Lisle, and contributed to the three anthologies of Le Parnasse contemporain: with 4 poems in the first (1866), 5 poems in the second (1869-71) and only one in the last (1876). However, his intention was to create a scientific and impersonal lyric for modern times: to sing emotions and feelings, but without ever personalizing them. He overflowed with art and pessimism, composing structures with grand pretensions, albeit a bit cold, as in the Stances et Poèmes, the Épreuves, the Solitudes ("Soledades", 1869), La vie intérieure, Les Vaines tendresses or Le Bonheur (1888). From this last book, he was postponing poetry to focus on aesthetics and philosophy. He won the first Nobel Prize for Literature, awarded in 1901.

In 1902, he founded the Society of French Poets, together with José María de Heredia (of Cuban origin, with whom he had a great friendship) and Léon Dierx.

He was one of the first supporters of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, participating in his public defense during the controversial case -see: Dreyfus Case) that shook French society between 1894 and 1906.

He also distinguished himself as one of the few artists to speak out in favor of the Eiffel Tower project in 1889 (modifying his initial opinion against the work).

Sully Prudhomme occupied the 24th seat of the French Academy, which has also been seated by prominent personalities such as the writer and essayist Jean de la Fontaine and the mathematician and physicist Henri Poincaré.